It annoys me to see articles describing a “15 year old” as a child. A “15 year old” is a person whose physical age is very close to “16 years old”, which we have decided is old enough to entrust driving 2-3 tons of steel at high-speeds down the highway, at legal speeds up to 65 miles per hour (or in excess of a mile per minute).

A single mistake or misjudgement by that “16 year old” driving can have deadly consequences to dozens of people, including permanently paralyzing themselves or others, including burning the skin off of whole portions of their body.

Some states allow even younger individuals to drive automobiles, and certainly younger individuals often operate farm tractors. It should also be noted in NY State, one can take the hunting safety course at age 11, and can hunt starting at age 12.